Methods and apparatuses for performing uplink coordinated multi-point communication

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for utilizing uplink (UL) CoMP helper data are provided. One method includes setting, by a network node serving a user equipment, a priority for a helper data request of an uplink transmission of the user equipment. The setting may include setting the priority based on a specific history of the user equipment. The method may also include sending the helper data request to another network node and, optionally, sending the priority set for the helper data request to said another network node.

BACKGROUND Field

Certain embodiments of the invention generally relate to wireless ormobile communications networks, such as, but not limited to, theUniversal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial RadioAccess Network (UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved UTRAN(E-UTRAN), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), and/or 5G radio access technology. Someembodiments may relate to methods and apparatuses for mitigatingaliasing in a digital pre-distortion (DPD) system of base stations(e.g., BTS, node B, eNB) in such communications networks.

Description of the Related Art

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial RadioAccess Network (UTRAN) refers to a communications network including basestations, or Node Bs, and for example radio network controllers (RNC).UTRAN allows for connectivity between the user equipment (UE) and thecore network. The RNC provides control functionalities for one or moreNode Bs. The RNC and its corresponding Node Bs are called the RadioNetwork Subsystem (RNS). In case of E-UTRAN (enhanced UTRAN), no RNCexists and radio access functionality is provided by an evolved Node B(eNodeB or eNB) or many eNBs. Multiple eNBs are involved for a single UEconnection, for example, in case of Coordinated Multipoint Transmission(CoMP) and in dual connectivity.

Long Term Evolution (LTE) or E-UTRAN refers to improvements of the UMTSthrough improved efficiency and services, lower costs, and use of newspectrum opportunities. In particular, LTE is a 3GPP standard thatprovides for uplink peak rates of at least, for example, 75 megabits persecond (Mbps) per carrier and downlink peak rates of at least, forexample, 300 Mbps per carrier. LTE supports scalable carrier bandwidthsfrom 20 MHz down to 1.4 MHz and supports both Frequency DivisionDuplexing (FDD) and Time Division Duplexing (TDD).

As mentioned above, LTE may also improve spectral efficiency innetworks, allowing carriers to provide more data and voice services overa given bandwidth. Therefore, LTE is designed to fulfill the needs forhigh-speed data and media transport in addition to high-capacity voicesupport. Advantages of LTE include, for example, high throughput, lowlatency, FDD and TDD support in the same platform, an improved end-userexperience, and a simple architecture resulting in low operating costs.

Certain releases of 3GPP LTE (e.g., LTE Rel-10, LTE Rel-11, LTE Rel-12,LTE Rel-13) are targeted towards international mobile telecommunicationsadvanced (IMT-A) systems, referred to herein for convenience simply asLTE-Advanced (LTE-A).

LTE-A is directed toward extending and optimizing the 3GPP LTE radioaccess technologies. A goal of LTE-A is to provide significantlyenhanced services by means of higher data rates and lower latency withreduced cost. LTE-A is a more optimized radio system fulfilling theinternational telecommunication union-radio (ITU-R) requirements forIMT-Advanced while maintaining backward compatibility. One of the keyfeatures of LTE-A, introduced in LTE Rel-10, is carrier aggregation,which allows for increasing the data rates through aggregation of two ormore LTE carriers.

Coordinated multi-point transmission/reception (CoMP) includestechniques for LTE-Advanced systems to increase the cell average andcell edge user throughput in both uplink and downlink. LTE CoMP isessentially a range of different techniques that enable the dynamiccoordination of transmission and reception over a variety of differentbase stations. The aim is to improve overall quality for the user aswell as improving the utilization of the network. LTE-Advanced CoMP canturn the inter-cell interference (ICI) into a useful signal, especiallyat the cell borders where performance may be degraded.

5^(th) generation wireless systems (5G) refers to the new generation ofradio systems and network architecture. 5G is expected to provide higherbitrates and coverage than the current LTE systems. Some estimate that5G will provide bitrates one hundred times higher than LTE offers. 5G isalso expected to increase network expandability up to hundreds ofthousands of connections. The signal technology of 5G is anticipated tobe improved for greater coverage as well as spectral and signalingefficiency.

SUMMARY

One embodiment is directed to a method that may include setting, by anetwork node serving a user equipment, a priority for at least onehelper data request of an uplink transmission of the user equipment. Thesetting may include setting the priority based on a specific history ofthe user equipment. The method may also include sending the at least onehelper data request to another network node and, optionally, sending thepriority set for the helper data request to said another network node.

Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus including setting meansfor setting a priority for at least one helper data request of an uplinktransmission from a user equipment. The setting means may include meansfor setting the priority based on a specific history of the userequipment. The apparatus may also include sending means for sending theat least one helper data request to a network node and, optionally,sending means for sending the priority set for the helper data requestto said another network node.

Another embodiment is directed to a method that may include receiving,by a network node, an uplink transmission from at least one userequipment. The method may also include receiving, from another networknode, one or more coordinated multipoint transmission helper datarequests for the at least one user equipment, and selecting which of thecoordinated multipoint transmission helper data requests for the atleast one user equipment to satisfy based on a priority set by saidanother network node for the helper data request of the uplinktransmission. The priority for the helper data request of the uplinktransmission may be set based on a specific history of the at least oneuser equipment.

Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus including receiving meansfor receiving an uplink transmission from at least one user equipment,receiving means for receiving, from another network node, one or morecoordinated multipoint transmission helper data requests for the atleast one user equipment, and selecting means for selecting which of thecoordinated multipoint transmission helper data requests for the atleast one user equipment to satisfy based on a priority set by saidanother network node for the helper data request of the uplinktransmission. The priority for the helper data request of the uplinktransmission may be set based on a specific history of the at least oneuser equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For proper understanding of the invention, reference should be made tothe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 a illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 1b illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus, according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 2a illustrates a flow diagram of a method, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2b illustrates a flow diagram of a method, according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a method, according to anotherembodiment; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus, according to anotherembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the invention, asgenerally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may bearranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations.Thus, the following detailed description of embodiments of systems,methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for utilizing uplink(UL) CoMP helper data, as represented in the attached figures, is notintended to limit the scope of the invention, but is merelyrepresentative of some selected embodiments of the invention.

The features, structures, or characteristics of the invention describedthroughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases “certainembodiments,” “some embodiments,” or other similar language, throughoutthis specification refers to the fact that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentmay be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.Thus, appearances of the phrases “in certain embodiments,” “in someembodiments,” “in other embodiments,” or other similar language,throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the samegroup of embodiments, and the described features, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments.

Additionally, if desired, the different functions discussed below may beperformed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other.Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the described functions may beoptional or may be combined. As such, the following description shouldbe considered as merely illustrative of the principles, teachings andembodiments of this invention, and not in limitation thereof.

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to improving uplink radiofrequency (RF) capacity and coverage by utilizing UL COMP between cells.In the past, there have been certain commercial solutions, such aswithin stadium environments which utilize special cabling. However, forexample in deployments outside of stadiums, network operators may have 3to 4 ms latency from the antenna site to the central office. In thecontext of systems with helper data delays among cells, certainembodiments address the requesting and utilization of UL CoMP helperdata, while providing for special treatment on the final configured(e.g., 4th) hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) attempt. The finalconfigured HARQ attempts refers to the final of HARQ attempt at whichpoint the maximum number of HARQ attempts has been reached, where thismaximum has been, for instance configured by the (LTE) air interfacesignaling, e.g., using variants of RRC and/or MAC signaling. This isbecause this helper data then arrives too late to provide an accuratePhysical HARQ Indicator Channel (PHICH), and the UE needs accurate PHICHto avoid confusing the UE triggering of radio link control (RLC) on thefinal configured (e.g., 4th) HARQ attempt. In addition, certainembodiments provide a mechanism for avoiding service degradationassociated with intermittent use of UL CoMP.

If the UL CoMP/interference rejection combining (IRC) helper dataencounters multi transmission time interval (TTI) delays, then theserver cannot use helper data for the final configured (e.g., 4th) HARQattempt. This is because, as mentioned, the helper data would havearrived too late to provide an accurate PHICH, and the UE needs accuratePHICH to avoid confusing the UE triggering of RLC on the final HARQattempt.

For a given UE, if UL CoMP was in use, but now it has been turned off(e.g., helper data will no longer be retrieved), then that may cause thevery next HARQ to fail entirely, e.g., after the final configured/fourattempts. This may be a particularly significant problem for voice dataif UL CoMP were to repeatedly turn on and then off (in a voice call).

In view of the above, some embodiments of the invention aim to provide aUL CoMP solution which can work across a range of delays. This canenable UL CoMP to expand beyond stadiums to include benefits in denseurban areas. Some embodiments have the benefits of working across bothmacro and small cells. Some embodiments may also opportunisticallyleverage low latency interconnects, e.g., among small cells or acrossserial rapid input-output (SRIO) switching functionality whereavailable. In many situations there are still expected to be significantscenarios where multi-TTI delays will be encountered, such that thetechniques provided by some embodiments of the invention will be neededand helpful.

As introduced above, some embodiments of the invention include therequesting and utilization of UL COMP helper data, while providing forspecial treatment on the final configured (e.g. 4th) HARQ attempt. Inaddition, certain embodiments may provide a mechanism for avoidingservice degradation associated with intermittent use of UL CoMP.Further, an embodiment proposes a mechanism for utilizing the UEspecific history, where this history includes, for example, whether thatUE has already been using UL CoMP and/or whether that UE has alreadycompleted all but one of the maximum number of configured HARQ attemptswithin this particular HARQ process.

According to certain embodiments, a helper data request may refer to arequest sent by a first cell or eNB and received by a second cell oreNB. For example, the helper request or helper data request may be arequest from one cell to ask another cell to share what it receivedwhile it was also listening to a particular UE or physical resourceblock (PRB). In certain embodiments, as used herein, when it is statedthat a helper request is “for” a particular UE, it means that the helperrequest corresponds to a cell listening where that particular UE wastransmitting on the uplink (UL) area.

An embodiment is directed to a process for setting priority for helperdata (or helper/assistance request) based on the used number of HARQrequests for a particular UE. For example, in one embodiment, thepriority for helper data is set such that the priority is low for thefinal (e.g., 4^(th)) HARQ requests and the priority is higher for otherthan the final (e.g., 4^(th)) HARQ requests and/or UEs which havepreviously received the benefit of UL CoMP.

In certain embodiments, the priority for the helper data may be set as anumerical value. For example, in one embodiment, the priority may be setto be a numerical value between 0 and 10, where 0 is the lowest priorityand 10 is the highest priority. In an example embodiment, the numericalvalues of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 may be considered “lower” priority values,while numerical values 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 may be considered “higher”priority values. Thus, according to this example and in one embodiment,as discussed herein, setting the priority to the lowest value may meansetting the priority to 0, while setting the priority to the highestvalue may be mean setting the priority to 10. It is noted that this isonly one example of the priority values that can be used, and otherpossibilities are also applicable.

In one embodiment, the priority for requesting helper data for the finalconfigured HARQ attempt may be set to the lowest value, such as zero,for example. By setting the priority for the final HARQ attempt to thelowest value (e.g., zero), some embodiments are able to prevent the casewhere the helper data arrives too late to be useful, without causing theRLC state and the network and the UE to have two differentunderstandings as to whether the overall HARQ process was successful,e.g., considering the case where there are multiple/subsequent RLCattempts. In other words, in a system where helper data encountersmultiple milliseconds of delay, that helper data will arrive too late tobe useful without causing the RLC state and the network and the UE tohave two different understandings as to whether the overall HARQ processwas successful. Furthermore, by avoiding requesting helper data withinsuch a system on the final HARQ attempt, certain embodiments can avoidhaving the helper data arrive at all. As a result, in this case, thehelper data will not arrive at all, so it will not arrive at a time whenit is too late for to be useful.

It is noted that the priority for the helper data can be a function ofthe signal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR) at the neighboringhelper cell(s) and the SINR at the serving cell relative to theneighboring helper cells. In one embodiment, if there are two differentUEs that have identical SINR at the serving and helper cells, then theUE which had previously been benefiting from UL comp/helper data wouldreceive higher priority (for a helper data request) than the other UEwhich had not—such that if only one of the two UEs can benefit from ULCoMP, then the higher priority UE will receive the ULCoMP benefit.

According to one embodiment, where N is the amount that the neighborcell's SINR is below the SINR of the local/serving cell and A is theabsolute SINR of the neighbor cell, then the higher N is above somethreshold, e.g. 20, and the higher A is than some threshold, e.g. −10dB, then that UE is a candidate for utilizing UL CoMP. Furthermore, ifthe values of A or N for that UE are even larger, then that UE can begiven even higher priority for utilizing UL CoMP. In some example cases,there may not be enough processing or intercell communication bandwidthto support UL CoMP for all of the UEs which satisfy this thresholdrequirement. It is from this perspective, that UEs with higher values ofA or N may have a higher priority for utilizing UL CoMP/helper data. Inother words, the priority function increases (i.e., provides higherpriority) when A increases and when N increases. For example, when thereis a finite amount of bandwidth to exchange helper data with neighboringcells, the process begins with the higher priority UEs according to theabove and requests helper data for as many as possible higher priorityUEs, until the process reaches the interconnect bandwidth limitation.

In one embodiment, after the interconnect bandwidth and/or processingbandwidth available is completely allocated to the higher priority UEs,the remaining lower priority UEs will not utilize UL CoMP; for example,the remaining lower priority UEs may utilize antenna data only fromtheir local cell, and not utilize antenna data from other cell sites.The interconnect bandwidth refers to the ability to convey antenna datafrom one cell site to another. The processing bandwidth may refer to theability for one or more cell sites to process and/or store additionalantenna data.

In some embodiments, the UL CoMP selection process (which selects whichUE's use UL CoMP, and for which neighbors) can further achieve thedescribed priority adjustment through: (1) if the UE has previouslybenefited from UL CoMP, then the UL CoMP helper selection process willadd an additional offset, e.g. 3 dB to N and A for that UE; and (2) ifthe UE has not previously benefited from UL CoMP, then the UL CoMPhelper selection process will subtract an additional offset, e.g. 3 dBfrom both N and A for that UE.

According to an embodiment, the UL CoMP helper selection process canachieve the priority adjustment on the final configured HARQ attemptthrough the following. If the UE is on the final configured HARQattempt, then the UL CoMP helper selection mechanism subtracts a verylarge offset, e.g. 50 dB from both N and A for that UE.

FIG. 1a illustrates an example of an apparatus 10 according to oneembodiment. In an embodiment, apparatus 10 may be a node, host, orserver in a communications network or serving such a network. Forexample, apparatus 10 may be a network node or access node for a radioaccess network, such as a base station, node B or eNB, or an access nodeof 5G radio access technology. It should be noted that one of ordinaryskill in the art would understand that apparatus 10 may includecomponents or features not shown in FIG. 1 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 1a , apparatus 10 may include a processor 22 forprocessing information and executing instructions or operations.Processor 22 may be any type of general or specific purpose processor.While a single processor 22 is shown in FIG. 1a , multiple processorsmay be utilized according to other embodiments. In fact, processor 22may include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purposecomputers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs),field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), and processors based on a multi-core processorarchitecture, as examples.

Processor 22 may perform functions associated with the operation ofapparatus 10 which may include, for example, precoding of antennagain/phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forminga communication message, formatting of information, and overall controlof the apparatus 10, including processes related to management ofcommunication resources.

Apparatus 10 may further include or be coupled to a memory 14 (internalor external), which may be coupled to processor 22, for storinginformation and instructions that may be executed by processor 22.Memory 14 may be one or more memories and of any type suitable to thelocal application environment, and may be implemented using any suitablevolatile or nonvolatile data storage technology such as asemiconductor-based memory device, a magnetic memory device and system,an optical memory device and system, fixed memory, and removable memory.For example, memory 14 can be comprised of any combination of randomaccess memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), static storage such as amagnetic or optical disk, or any other type of non-transitory machine orcomputer readable media. The instructions stored in memory 14 mayinclude program instructions or computer program code that, whenexecuted by processor 22, enable the apparatus 10 to perform tasks asdescribed herein.

In some embodiments, apparatus 10 may also include or be coupled to oneor more antennas 25 for transmitting and receiving signals and/or datato and from apparatus 10. Apparatus 10 may further include or be coupledto a transceiver 28 configured to transmit and receive information. Forinstance, transceiver 28 may be configured to modulate information on toa carrier waveform for transmission by the antenna(s) 25 and demodulateinformation received via the antenna(s) 25 for further processing byother elements of apparatus 10. In other embodiments, transceiver 28 maybe capable of transmitting and receiving signals or data directly.

In an embodiment, memory 14 may store software modules that providefunctionality when executed by processor 22. The modules may include,for example, an operating system that provides operating systemfunctionality for apparatus 10. The memory may also store one or morefunctional modules, such as an application or program, to provideadditional functionality for apparatus 10. The components of apparatus10 may be implemented in hardware, or as any suitable combination ofhardware and software.

In one embodiment, apparatus 10 may be a network node or access node,such as a base station, node B, or eNB, or an access node of 5G, forexample. In one embodiment, apparatus 10 may be a target base station oreNB, for example. According to one embodiment, apparatus 10 may becontrolled by memory 14 and processor 22 to receive an UL communicationor data transmission from one or more UEs, and to receive at least oneUL CoMP helper data request for the one or more UEs. In an embodiment,the at least one UL CoMP helper data request may be received fromanother base station, eNB, or cell. For example, in certain embodiments,the UL CoMP helper data request may have been sent by the serving cell(e.g., the eNB serving the one or more UEs) and received by apparatus10. In an embodiment, apparatus 10 may then be controlled by memory 14and processor 22 to select which of the at least one UL CoMP helper datarequest to satisfy based on a priority set for the helper data requestof the UL communication or data transmission. In an embodiment, thepriority is set dependent upon a specific history of the one or moreUEs.

In some embodiments, apparatus 10 may be further controlled by memory 14and processor 22 to provide helper data for the UE depending on thepriority that is set for the helper data request. For example, in oneembodiment, apparatus 10 may be controlled by memory 14 and processor 22to provide, to the requesting or serving cell, helper data for thehighest priority user equipment until an interconnect bandwidthlimitation is reached.

FIG. 1b illustrates an example of an apparatus 20 according to anotherembodiment. In an embodiment, apparatus 20 may be may be a node, host,or server in a communications network or serving such a network. Forexample, apparatus 20 may be a network node or access node for a radioaccess network, such as a base station, node B or eNB, or an access nodeof 5G radio access technology. In one embodiment, apparatus 20 may bethe node sending the helper data request to another cell or eNB, asdiscussed above. It should be noted that one of ordinary skill in theart would understand that apparatus 20 may include components orfeatures not shown in FIG. 1 b.

As illustrated in FIG. 1b , apparatus 20 may include a processor 32 forprocessing information and executing instructions or operations.Processor 32 may be any type of general or specific purpose processor.While a single processor 32 is shown in FIG. 1b , multiple processorsmay be utilized according to other embodiments. In fact, processor 32may include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purposecomputers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs),field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), and processors based on a multi-core processorarchitecture, as examples.

Processor 32 may perform functions associated with the operation ofapparatus 20 including, without limitation, precoding of antennagain/phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forminga communication message, formatting of information, and overall controlof the apparatus 20, including processes related to management ofcommunication resources.

Apparatus 20 may further include or be coupled to a memory 34 (internalor external), which may be coupled to processor 32, for storinginformation and instructions that may be executed by processor 32.Memory 34 may be one or more memories and of any type suitable to thelocal application environment, and may be implemented using any suitablevolatile or nonvolatile data storage technology such as asemiconductor-based memory device, a magnetic memory device and system,an optical memory device and system, fixed memory, and removable memory.For example, memory 34 can be comprised of any combination of randomaccess memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), static storage such as amagnetic or optical disk, or any other type of non-transitory machine orcomputer readable media. The instructions stored in memory 34 mayinclude program instructions or computer program code that, whenexecuted by processor 32, enable the apparatus 20 to perform tasks asdescribed herein.

In some embodiments, apparatus 20 may also include or be coupled to oneor more antennas 35 for transmitting and receiving signals and/or datato and from apparatus 20. Apparatus 20 may further include a transceiver38 configured to transmit and receive information. For instance,transceiver 38 may be configured to modulate information on to a carrierwaveform for transmission by the antenna(s) 35 and demodulateinformation received via the antenna(s) 35 for further processing byother elements of apparatus 20. In other embodiments, transceiver 38 maybe capable of transmitting and receiving signals or data directly.

In an embodiment, memory 34 stores software modules that providefunctionality when executed by processor 32. The modules may include,for example, an operating system that provides operating systemfunctionality for apparatus 20. The memory may also store one or morefunctional modules, such as an application or program, to provideadditional functionality for apparatus 20. The components of apparatus20 may be implemented in hardware, or as any suitable combination ofhardware and software.

As mentioned above, according to one embodiment, apparatus 20 may be anetwork node or access node, such as a base station, node B, or eNB, oran access node of 5G, for example. In one embodiment, apparatus 20 maybe a serving base station, serving eNB, or serving cell for example. Inthis embodiment, apparatus 20 may be controlled by memory 34 andprocessor 32 to perform the functions associated with embodimentsdescribed herein. In one embodiment, apparatus 20 may be controlled bymemory 34 and processor 32 to set a priority for a helper data requestof an UL communication or data transmission based on a specific historyof the UE transmitting the UL communication or data transmission. In oneembodiment, apparatus 20 may then be controlled by memory 34 andprocessor 32 to send the helper data request and, optionally, to sendthe priority of the helper data request to another apparatus (e.g. eNB).

In one embodiment, for example, when the helper data request is for areceived communication or data transmission from a UE having the finalconfigured HARQ attempt and there are multi-TTI delays (e.g., if thehelper data for the final HARQ attempt will not arrive within 100 μsthen do not request it/set the priority to “zero”), apparatus 20 may becontrolled by memory 34 and processor 32 to set a lower priority (or“zero” priority) for the helper data request(s).

In one embodiment, for example, when it is a helper data request for aUE which has not previously received the benefit of UL CoMP (e.g., usersnot previously using UL CoMP are lower priority targets for beginning touse UL comp, especially if they are delay sensitive, such as voiceservices), apparatus 20 may be controlled by memory 34 and processor 32to set a lower priority (or “zero” priority) for the helper datarequest(s).

When the helper data request is for a UE which has previously receivedthe benefit of UL CoMP and there is a delay sensitive service (e.g.,within the voice category), when the helper data request is not for thefinal configured HARQ attempt and there are multi-TTI delays, apparatus20 may be controlled by memory 34 and processor 32 to set a higherpriority for the helper data request(s).

When the helper data request is for the final configured HARQ attemptand sub TTI delays are possible (e.g., with a higher priority helperdata delays of 100 μs are possible), apparatus 20 may be controlled bymemory 34 and processor 32 to set a higher priority for the helper datarequest(s). Thus, according to an embodiment, UE(s) which are alreadyusing UL CoMP may be provided a higher priority with respect to using ULCoMP during the next upcoming time interval.

In an embodiment, apparatus 20 may be controlled by memory 34 andprocessor 32 to set the lower priority for the helper data request tozero. In one embodiment, if there is some nonzero probability (e.g.,10%) that the helper data will arrive within the threshold time interval(e.g., 100 μs), then the UL comp priority may be set to a low value(e.g., 1) which is still greater than zero (such that this UL CoMPrequest is only sent if there is still UL CoMP bandwidth after all ofthe other UEs with nonzero UL CoMP priority have allocated UL compresources). Similarly, in an embodiment, if this probability isincrementally larger (e.g., 20%), then the UL comp priority may be setto a modestly higher value (e.g., 2) such that this UL CoMP request isonly sent if there is still UL CoMP bandwidth available for UL CoMPafter all other UEs with priority greater than two have been allocatedUL CoMP resources. For instance, in one embodiment, when the helper datafor the final HARQ attempt will not arrive within a threshold interval,(where the threshold is, for example, 100 μs, but it may also have othersimilar values, e.g. between 50 and 200 μs), apparatus 20 may becontrolled by memory 34 and processor 32 to set the priority of thehelper data request to zero.

It is noted that, according to certain embodiments, the priority for thehelper data request is a function of SINR at neighboring cells and theSINR at the serving cell relative to the neighboring cells. In anembodiment, where N is the amount that the SINR of the neighbor cell isbelow the SINR of the serving cell and A is the absolute SINR of theneighbor cell, and apparatus 20 may be controlled by memory 34 andprocessor 32 to increase the priority of the helper data request as Nincreases and as A increases.

FIG. 2a illustrates an example flow diagram of a method for controllinga request for post-FFT (fast Fourier transform) helper data, accordingto one embodiment. In an embodiment, the method of FIG. 2a may beperformed by a network node, such as a base station, access point, nodeB, eNB, or an access node of 5G radio access technology. According toone embodiment, the method may include, at 200, receiving an ULcommunication or data transmission from one or more UEs and, at 205,receiving at least one helper data request for the one or more UEs. Themethod may then include, at 210, selecting which of the at least one ULCoMP helper data request to satisfy based on a priority set for thehelper data request of the UL communication or data transmission. In anembodiment, the priority is set dependent upon a specific history of theone or more UEs. In an embodiment, the method may further include, at220, providing (to the requesting cell or access node e.g. eNB) helperdata for the UE depending on the priority that is set for the helperdata request or when the priority set for the UE dictates that thehelper data should be provided. For example, in an embodiment, theproviding may further include providing helper data for each of thehighest priority user equipment until the interconnect bandwidthlimitation is reached.

FIG. 2b illustrates an example flow diagram of a method for setting apriority for a request for helper data, according to one embodiment. Inan embodiment, the method of FIG. 2b may be performed by a cell or anetwork node, such as a base station, access point, node B, eNB, or anaccess node of 5G radio access technology. For instance, according to anembodiment, the method of FIG. 2b may be performed by a serving eNB orcell.

According to one embodiment, the method of FIG. 2b may include, at 250,setting a priority for a helper data request of an UL communication ordata transmission based on a specific history of the UE transmitting theUL communication or data transmission. In one embodiment, the method mayalso include, at 260, sending the helper data request to another cell ornetwork node (e.g. eNB). According to an embodiment, the method may alsoinclude, at 265, sending the priority of the helper data request toanother cell or network node (e.g. eNB).

For example, in one embodiment, the setting of the priority 250 mayfurther include setting the priority for the helper data request suchthat a lower (or “zero”) priority when the helper data request is forthe final configured HARQ attempt and there are multi-TTI delays (e.g.,if the helper data for the final HARQ attempt will not arrive within 100μs then do not request it/set the priority to “zero”), and/or when it isa helper data request for a UE which has not previously received thebenefit of UL CoMP (e.g., users not previously using UL CoMP are lowerpriority targets for beginning to use UL comp, especially if they aredelay sensitive, such as voice services).

Additionally or alternatively, the setting of the priority 250 mayfurther include setting the priority for helper data requests such thata higher priority is provided when the helper data request is at leastone of:

-   -   for a UE which has previously received the benefit of UL CoMP        and there is a delay sensitive service (e.g., within the voice        category),    -   not for the final configured HARQ attempt and there are        multi-TTI delays, and/or    -   for the final configured HARQ attempt and sub TTI delays are        possible (e.g., with a higher priority helper data delays of 100        is are possible).        Thus, according to an embodiment, UEs which are already using UL        CoMP may be provided a higher priority with respect to using UL        CoMP during the next upcoming time interval.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example flow diagram of a method for settinga priority for a request for post-FFT (fast fourier transform) helperdata, according to a further embodiment. In an embodiment, the method ofFIG. 3 may be performed by a network node, such as a base station,access point, node B, eNB, or an access node of 5G radio accesstechnology. It is noted that, in certain embodiments, the methodillustrated in FIG. 3 may be combined with the methods illustrated inFIG. 2a or 2 b, or each of the illustrated methods may be usedindividually or as alternatives. For example, in one embodiment, thestep of setting the priority 250 in FIG. 2b may be performed, in part,according to the flow chart depicted in FIG. 3.

The method of FIG. 3 may include, at 300, deciding that at least one ULCoMP helper data request for one or more UEs may be sent. The method maythen include, at 310, determining whether the at least one helper datarequest is for a final configured HARQ attempt. If the at least onehelper data request is for a final configured HARQ attempt, then themethod may include, at 320, setting the priority for the at least onehelper data request to be a lower (for example “zero”) priority. If theat least one helper data request is not for a final configured HARQattempt, then the method may include, at 330, determining whether thehelper data request is for a UE that has previously received the benefitof UL CoMP. If it is determined that the helper data request is not fora UE that has previously received the benefit of UL CoMP, then themethod may proceed, at 320, to setting the priority for the at least onehelper data request to be a lower (for example “zero”) priority. If itis determined that the helper data request is for a UE that haspreviously received the benefit of UL CoMP, then the method may include,at 340, setting the priority for the at least one helper data request tohave a higher priority. For example, the higher priority that is set fora helper data request may mean that a UE which has previously utilizedUL CoMP may continue to utilize UL CoMP with the same priority as if ithad SINR values as would have been the case if its priority wasunchanged and its values of A and N (as previously defined) were each 3dB higher.

Therefore, embodiments of the invention provide several advantagesand/or technical improvements. For example, the use of some embodimentsof the invention can result in improved uplink capacity and/or coverageby utilizing UL CoMP between cells, thereby improving the functioning ofcommunications networks and their nodes.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 400, according toanother embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, apparatus 400 may includea receiving unit or means 410, a transmitting unit or means 420, adetermining unit or means 430, and a setting unit or means 440.

In one embodiment, receiving unit 410 may be caused to receive an ULcommunication or data transmission from one or more UEs and to receiveat least one helper data request for the one or more UEs. Thedetermining unit 430 may be caused to select which of the helper datarequest(s) to satisfy based on a priority set for the helper datarequest of the UL communication or data transmission. In an embodiment,the priority is set dependent upon a specific history of the one or moreUEs. In an embodiment, the transmitting unit 420 may be caused toprovide or transmit, to a requesting or serving eNB, helper data for theuser equipment depending on the priority that is set for the helper datarequest. For example, in an embodiment, the transmitting unit 420 may becaused to provide helper data for each of the highest priority userequipment until the interconnect bandwidth limitation is reached.

In another embodiment, the setting unit 440 may be caused to set thepriority for the helper data request based on a specific history of theUE transmitting the UL communication or data transmission. In oneembodiment, the transmitting unit 420 may be caused to send the helperdata request. In one embodiment, the transmitting unit 420 may be causedto send the priority of the helper data request to another apparatus(e.g. eNB). For example, in one embodiment, the setting unit 440 may befurther caused to set the priority for the helper data request such thata lower (or “zero”) priority is provided when the helper data request isfor the final configured HARQ attempt and there are multi-TTI delays(e.g., if the helper data for the final HARQ attempt will not arrivewithin 100 μs then do not request it/set the priority to “zero”), and/orwhen it is a helper data request for a UE which has not previouslyreceived the benefit of UL CoMP (e.g., users not previously using ULCoMP are lower priority targets for beginning to use UL comp, especiallyif they are delay sensitive, such as voice services).

Additionally or alternatively, the setting unit 440 may be furthercaused to set the priority for helper data requests such that a higherpriority is provided when the helper data request is for a UE which haspreviously received the benefit of UL CoMP and there is a delaysensitive service (e.g., within the voice category), when the helperdata request is not for the final configured HARQ attempt and there aremulti-TTI delays, and/or when the helper data request is for the finalconfigured HARQ attempt and sub TTI delays are possible (e.g., with ahigher priority helper data delays of 100 μs are possible). Thus,according to an embodiment, setting unit 440 may be caused to provideUEs which are already using UL CoMP with a higher priority with respectto using UL CoMP during the next upcoming time interval.

In some embodiments, the functionality of any of the methods, processes,or flow charts described herein may be implemented by software and/orcomputer program code or portions of it stored in memory or othercomputer readable or tangible media, and executed by a processor. Insome embodiments, the apparatus may be, included or be associated withat least one software application, module, unit or entity configured asarithmetic operation(s), or as a program or portions of it (including anadded or updated software routine), executed by at least one operationprocessor. Programs, also called program products or computer programs,including software routines, applets and macros, may be stored in anyapparatus-readable data storage medium and they include programinstructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product maycomprise one or more computer-executable components which, when theprogram is run, are configured to carry out certain embodiments. The oneor more computer-executable components may be at least one software codeor portions of it. Modifications and configurations required forimplementing functionality of an embodiment may be performed asroutine(s), which may be implemented as added or updated softwareroutine(s). Software routine(s) may be downloaded into the apparatus.

Software or a computer program code or portions of it may be in a sourcecode form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may bestored in some sort of carrier, distribution medium, or computerreadable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carryingthe program. Such carriers include a record medium, computer memory,read-only memory, photoelectrical and/or electrical carrier signal,telecommunications signal, and software distribution package, forexample. Depending on the processing power needed, the computer programmay be executed in a single electronic digital computer or it may bedistributed amongst a number of computers. The computer readable mediumor computer readable storage medium may be a non-transitory medium.

In other embodiments, the functionality may be performed by hardware,for example through the use of an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), a programmable gate array (PGA), a field programmablegate array (FPGA), or any other combination of hardware and software. Inyet another embodiment, the functionality may be implemented as asignal, a non-tangible means that can be carried by an electromagneticsignal downloaded from the Internet or other network.

According to an embodiment, an apparatus, such as a node, device, or acorresponding component, may be configured as a computer or amicroprocessor, such as single-chip computer element, or as a chipset,including at least a memory for providing storage capacity used forarithmetic operation and an operation processor for executing thearithmetic operation.

One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that theinvention as discussed above may be practiced with steps in a differentorder, and/or with hardware elements in configurations which aredifferent than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although theinvention has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, itwould be apparent to those of skill in the art that certainmodifications, variations, and alternative constructions would beapparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.In order to determine the metes and bounds of the invention, therefore,reference should be made to the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A method, comprising: setting, by a network node serving auser equipment, a priority for at least one helper data request of anuplink transmission of the user equipment, wherein the setting comprisessetting the priority based on a specific history of the user equipment;and sending the at least one helper data request to another networknode, wherein the setting further comprises setting the priority to avalue representing a lower priority for the helper data request of theuplink transmission when the user equipment has not previously receivedthe benefit of uplink Coordinated Multipoint Transmission.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the sending comprises sending the at leastone helper data request to said another network node based on thepriority set for the at least one helper data request.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising sending the priority of thehelper data request to said another network node.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the lower priority set for the helper datarequest is a lowest value of priority.
 5. The method according to claim1, wherein, when the helper data for a final hybrid automatic repeatrequest attempt will not arrive within 100 μs, the setting comprisessetting the priority of the helper data request to a value of zero. 6.The method according to claim 1, wherein the network node comprises atleast one of a base station, access point, or evolved node B serving acell of the communications system.
 7. The method according to claim 6,wherein the priority for the helper data request is a function ofsignal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio at neighboring cells and thesignal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio at the serving cell relative tothe neighboring cells.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein N isthe amount that the signal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio of theneighbor cell is below the SINR of the serving cell and A is theabsolute signal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio of the neighbor cell,and the method further comprises increasing the priority of the helperdata request as N increases and as A increases.
 9. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executedby a computer, cause performance of a method according to claim
 1. 10. Amethod, comprising: setting, by a network node serving a user equipment,a priority for at least one helper data request of an uplinktransmission of the user equipment, wherein the setting comprisessetting the priority based on a specific history of the user equipment;and sending the at least one helper data request to another networknode, wherein the setting comprises setting the priority to a valuerepresenting a higher priority for the helper data request of the uplinktransmission when at least one of: the user equipment has previouslyreceived the benefit of uplink Coordinated Multipoint Transmission, orthe uplink transmission is not for a final configured hybrid automaticrepeat request attempt and there are multi transmission time intervaldelays.
 11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded withinstructions that, when executed by a computer, cause performance of amethod according to claim
 10. 12. An apparatus, comprising: at least oneprocessor; and at least one memory including computer program code,wherein the at least one memory and computer program code areconfigured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatusimplement a process comprising setting a priority for at least onehelper data request of an uplink transmission from a user equipment,wherein the priority is set based on a specific history of the userequipment; and sending the at least one helper data request to a networknode, wherein the setting further comprises setting the priority to avalue representing a lower priority for the helper data request of theuplink transmission when the user equipment has not previously receivedthe benefit of uplink Coordinated Multipoint Transmission.
 13. Theapparatus according to claim 12, wherein the lower priority set for thehelper data request is a lowest value of priority.
 14. The apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein, when the helper data for a final hybridautomatic repeat request attempt will not arrive within 100 μs, thesetting comprises setting the priority of the helper data request to avalue of zero.